Former junior welterweight titlist Viktor Postol is at the veteran stage of his career but he’s still a difficult proposition for whoever he faces.

The 39-year-old will look to snap a two-fight losing streak when he ends a 17-month hiatus from boxing against up-and-coming puncher Elvis Rodriguez on Saturday at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

The Ukrainian knows his back will be against the wall but hopes to use Rodriguez strengths against him.

“I think it’s going to be an exciting fight, as I’ll be facing young and strong fighter,” Postol (31-4, 12 knockouts) told The Ring through Oleg Ladik. “He is young prospect and the danger he brings in is his punching power.”

The last time we saw Postol, he was controversially stopped by rising contender Gary Antuanne Russell in 10-rounds.

“Sure, I was upset, I wasn’t hurt (enough for them) to stop the fight,” he said. “[The] referee could make a count first but he didn’t even try to do that. I think that helped Russell to preserve his knockout winning streak.”

That led to some soul-searching by Postol, and dealing with the conflict in his country with Russia only added reasons for his time away from the ring.

“After the fight with Russell, I came back home and spent two months out of the gym, taking care of my family as we have been struggling during wartime here and right after my return in February 2022, my town was occupied by Russian armed forces,” he revealed.

“When our army kicked away the enemy from my location, I got back to training. Now, thanks to our army, I have the opportunity to train, so I’m glad I can do it and I’ll do my best to be prepared well for this fight.”

Postol, who has prepared at home before heading stateside a week before the fight, is ready to show that age is just a number.

“Despite my age, I still have power, desire and will to train hard and fight,” he said passionately. “That’s why I’m still in the game. That’s why it’s too early to write me off.”

Rodriguez (14-1-1, 12 KOs) was a good amateur who represented the Dominican Republic at International level before turning professional in late 2018. He made something of a name for himself inside the Bubble during Covid-19, winning five fights. However, he was upset by Kenneth Sims Jr. (MD 8).

The 27-year-old has bounced back with three wins stopping previously unbeaten Juan Pablo Romero (KO 5) and Juan Carlos Velasco (KO 7) before, most recently, edging past Joseph Adorno (MD 10).

This looks like an intriguing style matchup. Postol is technically the better boxer, while Rodriguez is younger, bigger and the more powerful. This fight will tell us just where each man is. Can Postol roll back the years or can Rodriguez showcase his impressive power? You’d probably have to favor Rodriguez but he will have to put on a career best performance to emerge victorious and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Postol’s style give Rodriguez fits and edge home by decision.

Martin-Harutyunan, plus undercards bouts, will be broadcast on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT.

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected].

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